Leon Panetta, America's new Secretary of Defense, Former Officer in U.S. Army

In 1956, he entered Santa Clara University, and in 1960 he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also received a Juris Doctor in 1963 from the Santa Clara University School of Law, and soon after began practicing law. In 1964, he joined the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. There he received the Army Commendation Medal, and was discharged in 1966 as a First Lieutenant.

This is not my photo. It is the official photograph of Mr. Leon Panetta.

Leon Panetta was born in Monterey, California in 1938, the son of Carmelina Maria (née Prochilo) and Carmelo Frank Panetta, Italian immigrants from Siderno in Calabria[6] who owned a restaurant in Monterey.

He was raised in the Monterey area, and attended Catholic schools San Carlos Grammar School and Carmel Mission School. He continued his education at Monterey High School, a public school where he became involved in student politics, and was a JSA member.[7] As a junior he was Vice President of the Student Body, and became President of the Student Body as a senior.[8]

In 1956, he entered Santa Clara University, and in 1960 he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also received a Juris Doctor in 1963 from the Santa Clara University School of Law, and soon after began practicing law. In 1964, he joined the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. There he received the Army Commendation Medal, and was discharged in 1966 as a First Lieutenant.[9]

[edit] Political careerPanetta started in politics in 1966 as a legislative assistant to Republican Senator Thomas Kuchel, the United States Senate Minority Whip from California, whom Panetta has called "a tremendous role model".[10]

In 1969 he became the assistant to Robert H. Finch, Secretary of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Nixon administration. Soon thereafter he was appointed Director of the Office for Civil Rights.[11]

Panetta chose to enforce civil rights and equal education laws.[citation needed] Secretary Robert Finch and Assistant Secretary John Veneman refused to fire Panetta, threatening to resign if forced to do so.[citation needed] A few weeks later in 1970, Panetta resigned and left Washington to work as Executive Assistant for John Lindsay, the Republican Mayor of New York City. He wrote about this experience in his 1971 book Bring Us Together: The Nixon Team and the Civil Rights Retreat.

He moved back to Monterey to practice law at Panetta, Thompson & Panetta from 1971 through to 1976.[12]

Personally, I admire Mr. Panetta and believe he is a good choice for Secretary of Defense.

Having read his personal history published in Wikipedia, I think he has planned his life well.He has served his country in the Military and in various government positions. Seeing how well he had planned his life and reading about his service and accomplishments, I believe he will do well as our Secretary of Defense.

Like President Obama, whose plans were realized, Mr. Panetta's plans for success helps him serve as a great role model for American youth.

One of the first objectives Secretary of Defense Panetta should make a reality is a pay raise for the military. If the administration wants to make the military more attractive to the youth of this generation, a pay raise is mandantory.

WHY ARE WE CUTTING OUR DEFENSE BUDGET? Why are we jeopardizing the lives of our troops by cutting spending. INSTEAD OF--INSTEAD OF...funding nations that hate the USA, why not cut these monies? For example, the billions of dollars we send to the MID-EAST in cash and weapons SHOULD BE HANDED to our troops so they are not among the groups that are on or near the poverty line. Another example is the billions of dollars OBAMA gave to green energy, companies that went bankrupt with a smile. Such money should have gone to the men and women who risk their lives in the service of our nation. RESPOND if you care.